Biographie

Both Joseph and his brother, Ralph Fiennes, have romanced the same leading lady, Cate Blanchett, in different films; Joseph in Elizabeth (1998) and Ralph in Oscar and Lucinda (1997).

Cousin to Sir Ranulph Twistleton-Wykeham Fiennes the polar explorer.

He turned down a lucrative five-picture deal with Miramax after the success of Shakespeare in Love (1998) and Elizabeth (1998). He traveled to India instead.

Sister Sophie Fiennes is a documentary film-maker. Brother Magnus Fiennes is a composer.

Was Roman Polanski's first choice for the main role in Le Pianiste (2002), but turned it down due to a previous commitment to the theatre.

Being the youngest makes you long for more of a voice. You find that voice early in theatrics of the kitchen. I was the one screaming, 'Hey, where is my food?'.

I was in this guy's office in LA two years ago and he said: 'Love your work, Joe, love your work.' I'm thinking, wow, he came all the way to catch me as Christ in Son of Man at the Barbican. I asked what he'd seen me in and he replied: 'Nothing' - without a flicker of irony. I thought, OK, that's how it works.

I withdrew after Shakespeare in Love (1998) and went back to the theater, to what I know. I went back to what my initial voice was, which was to find a range and freedom and a creative energy. If that meant not following up with a typical leading-man role, then that's what it is. I'm an actor, and whatever speaks to me I will do.

I've always believed that you shouldn't want to mend a broken heart, because that's someone you don't want to forget. Scars can be good.

It takes years to establish yourself, and then you have one big film and everyone calls you an overnight success. You think, 'Christ, I've been sweating and crying for seven years.'